Maicon predicts Champions League success for Manchester City despite back-to-back failures

Manchester City full-back Maicon is certain the club is destined for Champions League success.

City have again failed to impress in Europe's elite competition this season and are condemned to a group stage exit for a second successive year.

But Maicon, who won the Champions League with Inter Milan in 2010, believes it is only a matter of time before the Barclays Premier League winners crack it in Europe.

The Brazil international said: "There is nothing missing at City.

"It is a great club and is working to get better in the Champions League. You can see us progressing on a monthly basis.

"The club is growing all the time, and sooner or later City will win the Champions League because everyone is working for that.

"The big difference is that here you have to play in the Premier League as well as trying to do well in the Champions League. It is a very different competition.

"They are great players here, but they need more experience of the Champions League.

"You have to tune in to playing in Europe, as it is very different to playing in your home league."

City face Borussia Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion in the final Group D match of their doomed campaign this week.

Although qualification is no longer at stake for either side - the Germans are already confirmed as group winners - City can still secure the consolation of a place in the Europa League.

To do that they will need to win and hope that Ajax fail to secure maximum points from their trip to Real Madrid.

Maicon said: "We are playing for pride on Tuesday, but also for practical reasons, because we want to carry on playing in Europe, even if it is not in the top competition.

"The Europa League is important to us, so we need to try to stay in Europe until the end of the season if we can."

Maicon is now starting to find a role at City after being hampered by a foot injury following his August arrival from Inter.

The 31-year-old has started four of the last five games and feels City's attacking philosophy fits his game well.

He said: "I am enjoying life in Manchester - everything's fine. I am a family man so the first thing that is important to me I that my family is okay.

"When they are settled, as they are now, my mind is only on training.

"I am training very well, to contribute to the team.

"The team is full of quality players, and the way City play they give the full-backs the ball and get them to attack. This suits my game.

"I am only sorry that I couldn't contribute at the start of the season because of my injury.

"Little by little I am getting back to my best, and trying to add something to the team."

PA